Environmental efforts lauded

MACOG gives awards to local businesses.

MACOG gives awards to local businesses.

May 31, 2006|Tribune Staff Report

The Michiana Area Council of Governments has awarded "Partners for Clean Air" awards to two businesses, one organization and an individual. The businesses are Stripco Inc. in Mishawaka and Noble Composites Inc. in Goshen. The organization is the Sisters of the Holy Cross along with Holy Cross Services Corp. And the individual is Concord Township Trustee Nyla Moore. According to a MACOG news release, Stripco uses a microturbine-based heat and power system that generates 60 kilowatts of electricity. Since 2002 the system has reduced an estimated 4.5 tons of nitrogen oxide emission. Stripco manufactures steel coils and strips. Jack Hyler is president of Stripco. Noble Composites uses a regenerative thermal oxidizer pollution control device that destroys more than 90 percent of the volatile organic chemicals created at the plan. It also reduces harmful emissions and noxious odors. Noble Composites makes sidewalls for the recreational vehicle industry. Larry Farver, president of the company, accepted the award. The Sisters of the Holy Cross have adopted environmental policies that have to lead to changes, among them:

Purchase of a Toyota Prius hybrid car.

Perennial plants replacing annual plants.

Lawns not watered in dry weather.

Central heating switched from coal to natural gas fuel.

Work with the Indiana Department of Environmental Management to remove coal dust from the soil.

Work with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources on management of woodland on their property. The award was accepted by Judith Johns, executive director of Holy Cross Services Corp. Nyla Moore was honored for her continuing support of transit service in Elkhart. She worked to provide her constituents with bus service that connects public housing residents with social services, grocery stores, the public library and shopping centers. She has also worked with MACOG on bus routes for the general public from North Pointe Shopping Center on the northern edge of Elkhart to the Super Wal-Mart on the south side of Goshen.